Photo: James Rojas/WBZ NewsRadio
LOWELL, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Lowell High School celebrated science teacher Dr. Tara Goodhue after being named the 2026 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year award.
“This is such an honor,” she told WBZ NewsRadio. “From my dad being here, with my students [and] people I previously worked with from the community, [it’s] just so wonderful to have so many of my favorite people in one place.”
The Teacher of the Year award is given to educators who have created a positive learning environment, built strong relationships with students and the community, and provided inspiring and engaging lessons— all qualities that students said Dr. Goodhue upholds.
Dr. Goodhue was picked out of 200 nominees across the Commonwealth. She credited her student’s contribution to the process that got her this title.
“My students are amazing,” she said. “For the video lesson, they helped me come up with the idea… we went outside and did our tree data collection and said, ‘I think this will be unique.’”
The award also came with a $10,000 prize, which will fund upcoming projects for the science department.
“We just bought equipment to raise endangered blanding’s turtles and releasing them into the wild,” Dr. Goodhue said.
WBZ NewsRadio’s James Rojas (@JamesRojas.bsky.social) reports.